Public drop box for isolating received items

ABSTRACT

A publicly accessible drop box for isolating items deposited therein, includes a securable enclosure, a depository port, a closeable container having an opening and located within the securable enclosure, and a closure device for closing the opening prior to removal of the container. The depository port may include a housing forming a reception chamber having an entrance, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted within the drop box. The drop box may include a view port to allow viewing of the opening of the closeable container. The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into the securable enclosure to enable manipulation of the closure device or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening of the container.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority for U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application serial No. 60/337,134, filed Dec. 4, 2001 andentitled COLLECTION BOX, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application serialNo. 60/339,899, filed Dec. 10, 2001 and entitled SECURE COLLECTION BOX.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention generally relates to depository boxes, suchas mailboxes, and in particular to such mailboxes which isolate itemsreceived therein to prevent the spread of contaminants.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The recent incidents of anthrax-laced letters being transportedthrough the United States Postal Service (USPS) facilities byunsuspecting mail handlers to unsuspecting recipients has alarmed thenation and the world. Currently, the tainted letters are discoveredafter the recipient accepts delivery or by alert postal employeesnoticing white powder that could be anthrax on mail parcels, sorting anddistribution equipment, or themselves. There appear to be no currentsecurity devices or procedures that are available to intercept suchletters at the earliest source of introduction into the USPS system.

[0004] Therefore, it would be advantageous to be able to isolate itemsdropped into mailboxes and other public drop boxes, so that adequatetesting may be performed to detect the presence of any contaminants.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, one embodiment of the present invention provides apublicly accessible drop box adapted for isolating items depositedtherein, comprising a securable enclosure, a depository port formingpart of the securable enclosure and adapted to allow items to be droppedthere through into the securable enclosure, a closeable container havingan opening and located within the securable enclosure for receivingitems, and a closure device adapted for closing the opening prior toremoval of the container from the securable enclosure.

[0006] The depository port may include a housing forming a receptionchamber adapted for receiving items deposited into the mail box, whichhousing includes an entrance and is adapted to allow opening of theentrance for receiving deposited items in the reception chamber. Thedepository port may also include a drop box opening formed as part ofthe securable enclosure, wherein the housing is rotatably mounted withinthe drop box for causing exposure of the entrance through the drop boxopening by rotational alignment with the drop box opening and forcausing closure of the entrance by rotational misalignment with the dropbox opening.

[0007] The drop box may include a view port located in the securableenclosure and adapted to allow viewing of the opening of the closeablecontainer within the securable enclosure. This view port may be atransparent panel located in a side of the drop box, and be covered by asecurable door.

[0008] The drop box may include a manipulation device extending into thesecurable enclosure and adapted to enable manipulation of the closuredevice or to enable movement of any items in proximity to the opening ofthe container, by a user located outside the securable enclosure withoutexposing the user to any said items located within the securableenclosure. This manipulation device may be a hazardous material mitt orglove extending into the drop box and having an open end for manualinsertion, which open end is sealed to a side of the securable enclosureto isolate a user of the mitt or glove from items within the drop box.The open end of the hazardous material mitt or glove may be sealed to atransparent panel in a side of the drop box, which panel forms a viewport into the securable enclosure.

[0009] The closeable container may be a standard size mail flat trayhaving a rectangular open top and a top cover adapted for engaging therectangular open top and preventing air from escaping from thecontainer. The closure device may include a door hinged to the top coverand adapted to be left open for receiving articles, and further adaptedfor closure prior to removal of the container from the securableenclosure.

[0010] The drop box may include a duct forming a channel for directingitems from the depository port to the opening of the container, and ashutter mounted to the securable enclosure and adapted for closing thechannel. This duct and a side of the securable enclosure may form achamber adapted for storing the shutter in an open position. The shuttermay be adapted for removable coupling to the container to provideclosure of the shutter with the removal of the container from thesecurable enclosure.

[0011] The closure device of the drop box may be adapted to close theopening of the container during removal of the container from thesecurable enclosure. A cover may be included and adapted to engage andclose the container during removal of the container from the securableenclosure. The drop box may further include a pair of opposed horizontalrails adapted for engaging the container within the securable enclosureand further adapted to engage the cover during removal of the containerfrom the securable enclosure. The drop box may further include secondand third securable doors located in opposing sides of the drop box andoriented generally orthogonally to the horizontal rails, wherein thehorizontal rails and the second and third doors are adapted to allowsimultaneous insertion of one closeable container into the drop box andremoval of another closeable container.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention provides adepository port structure for a publicly accessible mail box, includinga housing forming a reception chamber adapted for receiving itemsdeposited into the mail box, which housing includes an entrance and isadapted to allow opening of the entrance for receiving deposited itemsin the reception chamber. The depository port may also include a dropbox opening formed as part of the securable enclosure, wherein thehousing is rotatably mounted within the drop box for causing exposure ofthe entrance through the mail box opening by rotational alignment withthe mail box opening and for causing closure of the entrance byrotational misalignment with the mail box opening.

[0013] The housing may include an exit from the chamber, and may furtherbe adapted to open the exit by rotation of the housing after the closureof the entrance. The depository port structure may further include aclosure surface affixed to the mailbox in a position to block the exitwhile the entrance is exposed through the mailbox opening. The housingmay be rotatable in a first direction to a first position of alignmentbetween the entrance and the mailbox opening and further rotatable in asecond direction to a second position wherein the exit is open. Thishousing may be balanced to rest in the second position. The receptionchamber entrance may be directed generally upwardly from the receptionchamber and the exit may be directed generally downwardly from thereception chamber to enable gravitational movement of items through saidchamber.

[0014] The housing may include a flange extending away from thereception chamber entrance in both directions of rotation of thehousing, and this flange may be adapted to isolate a user of the dropbox from items that have previously passed through the depository port.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The present invention is illustratively shown and described inreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a public drop box constructed inaccordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2 is a side view diagram of the inside of the public drop boxof FIG. 1;

[0018]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the drop box of FIGS.1 and 2;

[0019]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another portion of the drop box ofFIGS. 1 and 2;

[0020]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of yet another portion of the dropbox of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0021]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a receptacle for receivingdeposited items in the drop box of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0022]FIG. 7 is a different side view diagram of a portion of theinterior of the drop box of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0023]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an internal element of the dropbox of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0024]FIG. 9 is a side view diagram of the interior of a drop boxconstructed in accordance with another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0025]FIG. 10 is a side view diagram of the interior of a drop boxconstructed in accordance with yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026]FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective and diagrammatic views,respectively, of a mail box 10 constructed in accordance with oneembodiment of the present invention for isolating items depositedtherein. Mail box 10 generally includes a securable enclosure 12 havinga depository port 14 and forming a central chamber 16 in which islocated a closeable container 18 for receiving deposited mail articles19. Mailbox 10 also includes a duct 20, which forms a channel fordirecting deposited mail articles into container 18.

[0027] A manipulation device 22 is shown extending into securableenclosure 12, in the form of a hazardous material glove or mitt.Manipulation device 22 is mounted to a side 24 of mailbox 10 and accessthereto is controlled by a securable door 26. Securable door 26 is shownhinged to an additional housing 27, which may be used for the storage ofmanipulation device 22 while mail box 10 is available for publicdeposits of mail articles. Housing 27 may be retrofitted to a standardmailbox.

[0028] Another securable door 28 is used to allow for the removal andreplacement of container 18. Securable door 28 opens downwardly toprovide support for container 18 upon removal from mail box 10. Door 28is affixed to an additional housing 29 for the purpose of retrofittingto standard mailboxes.

[0029] Duct 20 defines an opening 30 to container 18 for the purpose ofdirecting deposited mail articles into container 18. Duct 20, incombination with mailbox 10, forms a chamber 32 for enclosing a shutter34 used for closure of the opening 30. The movement of shutter 34 withinchamber 32 is directed by an arcuate guide 38. Shutter 34 may also beremoveably attached to container 18 by a coupling 39 to cause openingand closure by the insertion and removal of container 18, respectively.Shutter 34 may also be opened and closed by a linkage connected to door28. Manipulation device 22 may be used to open and close shutter 34.Manipulation device 22 also allows mail articles, that are piled up incontainer 18, to be cleared from opening 30 so that container 18 may beclosed prior to or during its removal from mail box 10.

[0030] A separate cover 40 is also shown for engaging container 18 as itis removed from mailbox 10. Cover 40 is removed while container 18 islocated within mailbox 10 and engages container 18 as container 18 isremoved from mailbox 10.

[0031] In operation, mailbox 10 becomes a publicly accessible drop boxadapted for isolating items deposited therein. Mailbox 10 forms asecurable enclosure 12 having depository port 14 adapted to allow itemsto be dropped through depository port 14 into securable enclosure 12.Closeable container 18 is located within mailbox 10 for receivingdeposited mail articles 19. Container 18 has a closeable opening in theform of shutter 34 or cover 40, and a closure device is provided forclosing this opening prior to or during removal of container 18 frommail box 10.

[0032] Mail box 10 may further include duct 20 forming a channel fordirecting items from depository port 14 to the opening of container 18,which opening 30 may thereby be defined by duct 20. Shutter 34 thereforeprovides one form of closure device for closing the opening 30. Duct 20and the side of mailbox 10 may form a chamber for storing shutter 34 inan open position.

[0033] Mail box 10 may further include manipulation device 22 extendinginto the enclosure 12 and being adapted to enable manipulation of theclosure device by a user located outside of mail box 10 or to enablemovement of any deposited items in proximity to the opening 30 ofcontainer 18 and thereby facilitate closure of the opening.

[0034] Depository port 14 is shown in greater detail in FIGS. 3 and 4.Depository port 14 primarily includes a housing 50 forming a chamber 52,which is adapted for rotation about an axis or axel 54. Chamber 52generally includes an entrance 56 and an exit 58 (shown in phantom).Housing 50 lastly includes a partial shield or flange 57 extending inopposite directions of rotation for housing 50 from each side ofentrance 56.

[0035]FIG. 4 shows a shield 60 which may be retrofitted to a common mailbox by suitably affixing shield 60 over the typical opening used at thetop of mail boxes, as shown in FIG. 1. Shield 60 provides a means forrotatably mounting housing 50 at openings 62. Shield 60 generallyincludes an arcuate member 61, which is affixed to and bounded by a pairof end plates 64. End plates 64 are generally normal to the axis ofrotation of housing 50. Shield 60 further includes a pair of stabilizingrods 66 mounted between end plates 64. Rods 66 further providerotational limitation to housing 50. Arcuate portion 61 includes anopening 68 which forms a depository opening in mail box 10 when shield60 is affixed in the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0036] When housing 50 and shield 60 are properly installed as shown inFIGS. 9 and 10, housing 50 is rotatable in one direction (clockwise) toa first position 67 (FIG. 10), to cause exposure of entrance 56 byalignment with mail box opening 68. Housing 50 is further rotatable in asecond (counterclockwise) direction to a second position 70 (FIG. 9),for causing the misalignment of entrance 56 with opening 68 and therebythe closure of entrance 56. Housing 50 is balanced to rest in position70 (FIG. 9) when not in use, which further insures that any mail withinchamber 52 passes through exit 58.

[0037] Mail box 10 further includes a closure surface 59 (FIG. 9) whichis affixed to mail box 10 and located to cause closure of exit 58 whenhousing 50 is in the first rotational position 67 (FIG. 10) and entrance56 is open. As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, entrance 56 of reception chamber52 is directed generally upwardly from chamber 52 and exit 58 isdirected generally downwardly from chamber 52 to enable gravitationalmovement of items through chamber 52.

[0038] In this manner, housing 50 forms another embodiment of thepresent invention, namely a depository port structure for a publiclyaccessible mailbox. Housing 50 forms a reception chamber 52 adapted forreceiving items deposited into mail box 10, which housing 52 includes anentrance 56 to chamber 52 and is adapted to allow opening of entrance 56for receiving deposited items in reception chamber 52. Depository port14 may also include a drop box opening 68 formed as part of securableenclosure 12, wherein housing 50 is rotatably mounted within drop box 10for causing exposure of entrance 56 through drop box opening 68 byrotational alignment with drop box opening 68 and for causing closure ofentrance 56 by rotational misalignment with drop box opening 68.

[0039] Housing 50 further includes an exit 58 from chamber 52 and isadapted to open exit 58 by rotation of housing 50 after closure ofentrance 56. Closure surface 59 is affixed to mailbox 10 in a positionto block exit 58 while entrance 56 is exposed through the mailboxopening 68. Also in this manner, housing 50 is rotatable between a firstposition of alignment between entrance 56 and opening 68 and a secondposition 70 wherein exit 58 is open. Housing 50 is further balanced toassume a rest position 70. Flange 57, which extends away from entrance56 in both directions of rotation of housing 50, is adapted to isolate auser of drop box 10 from items previously passed through depository port14.

[0040] Duct 20 is shown in FIG. 5 in a form that may be retrofitted to astandard mailbox. Duct 20 is rectangular in shape and includes an upperopening 82 and a lower opening 30 as identified in FIG. 1. As mentioned,opening 30 defines a closeable opening for a mail container 18. It isdesirable to restrict the opening of opening 30 to a size which issmaller than the dimensions of a container 18 so that deposited mailwill all be directed into container 18 and not fall in between container18 and the sides of mail box 10 (FIG. 2). Duct 20 further includes anupper flange 86 and a lower flange 88 which are affixed to mail box 10to further define the securable enclosure of mail box 10. FIG. 5 alsoshows shutter 34 passing through an opening 96 in the side of duct 20 topartially close opening 30. Coupling 39 is used to connect shutter 34 tocontainer 18 (FIG. 2).

[0041] One side of duct 20 is formed by a clear or transparent panel 90that thereby creates a view port into the securable enclosure 12 andspecifically provides visual access to opening 30. Transparent panel 90may be made from a variety of durable plastic materials, such as Lexan®.Transparent panel 90 further includes an opening 92 formed therein forallowing a hazardous material glove or mitt 22 a to be affixed thereto.The hazardous material mitt 22 a includes an open end 94 whichcoincidences with and is sealed along opening 92 in transparent panel90. This enables manual insertion into mitt 22 a while isolating a userof mitt 22 a from items located within the securable enclosure 12.

[0042] In this manner, a view port is provided in the form oftransparent panel 90 located in a side of securable enclosure 12 and isadapted to allow viewing of the opening 30 within securable enclosure12. A securable door 26 (FIGS. 1 and 2) is further provided to covertransparent panel 90. Manipulation device 22 may thus take the form of ahazardous material mitt 22 a or glove (FIG. 2) extending into mail box10 and having open end 94 for manual insertion, which open end 94 issealed to a side of mail box 10 to isolate a user of mitt 22 a or glovefrom items within mail box 10. Open end 94 may be sealed to transparentpanel 90 that forms a view port into securable enclosure 12. Shutter 34may be included and adapted for closing the opening 30, and duct 20 anda side of securable enclosure 12 may form a chamber adapted for storingshutter 34 in an open position.

[0043]FIG. 6 is a perspective few of a closeable container 100 identicalto container 18 of FIG. 2, being partially closed by a cover 105(identical to cover 40 of FIG. 2). Container 100 is approximately thesize of a standard mail flat tray and has an open top 101. Container 100includes a handle 103 and a circumferential flange 102 which extendshorizontally outward from open top 101 on both opposing sides 104 aswell as ends 106 of container 100. Circumferential flange 102 is usedfor sealing cover 105 to container 100. Cover 105 includes a lip 108(shown in phantom) along opposing sides 110 and one end 112. Lip 108 isadapted to engage flange 102 of container 100 in the manner shown.

[0044]FIG. 7 shows a side view of a portion of the mail box 10 of FIG.1, which portion includes the closeable container 100 without a cover.Flange 102 is engaged by a pair of guide rails 114. Guide rails 114 areaffixed to mail box 10 to engage the flange 102 on opposing sides 104 ofcontainer 100 and to support container 100 in close proximity to duct20. Guide rails 114 each include a slot 116 for accepting flange 102(FIG. 6). A guide rail 114 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 8, withslot 116 including a narrower portion 118 and a wider portion 120.Narrow portion 118 is located within the main body of mailbox 10 (FIG.2), and wider portion 120 is located in extension housing 29 (FIG. 2).In of this manner, wider portion 120 is adapted to handle both flange102 and cover 105. In practice, cover 105 is located within widerportion 120 and container 18 is pulled from mail box 10 by handle 103 tomaintain isolation of the contents of container 100 by closing container100 with cover 105 as it is withdrawn from mail box 10.

[0045] In this manner, container 100 may be a standard size mail flattray having a rectangular open top 101. A closure device in the form ofcover 105 is thereby adapted to engage and close open top 101 duringremoval of container 100 from securable enclosure 12 and substantiallyprevent air from escaping from container 100. Also, a pair of opposed,substantially horizontal rails 114 are provided and adapted for engagingcontainer 100 within securable enclosure 12. Guide rails 114 are furtheradapted to engage cover 105 during removal of container 100 fromsecurable enclosure 12.

[0046]FIG. 9 is a side view diagram of another embodiment of the presentinvention generally including a mailbox 121, a depository port 14 and acloseable container 122. The same reference numbers are used to identifyelements that are substantially identical in previous drawings.Depository port 14 is shown with housing 52 located in rest position 70.Depository port 14 is shown in greater detail with a multiplicity ofgaskets 124, 126, and 128. Gaskets 124 and 126 are compressible andlocated between flange 57 and arcuate portion 61 of shield 60. In oneembodiment, gaskets 124, 126 and 128 are made from Neoprene® rubber,although any comparable material may be used. In this manner, airborneparticulate contamination located within mailbox 121 is prevented fromescaping through depository port 14. Depository port 14 is also shown toinclude a handle 129 for user operation.

[0047] Container 122 is shown to be generally rectangular and include acover 130 for closing the top thereof. Cover 130 includes an opening 132and a door 134 hinged to cover 130 and adapted to close opening 132.Mailbox 121 may further include a manipulation device (not shown) toallow closure of door 134 prior to removal of container 122 from mailbox121.

[0048]FIG. 10 is another side view diagram of yet another embodiment ofthe present invention generally including a mailbox 140, a depositoryport 14 and a closeable container 142. Housing 50 is shown to be locatedin a position of rotation 67 wherein entrance 56 is in alignment withopening 68 of shield 60, thereby allowing the deposit of items into thechamber 52 of housing 50. In an operative position, gasket 128 is shownto form closure surface 59 which contacts and blocks exit 58 of chamber52.

[0049] In one embodiment, arcuate shield 61 has a radii of 7.875″ andflange 57 has a radii of 7″ leaving room for the gaskets or seals 124,126. Axel 54 is 5″ from shield 57, which makes flange 57 swing in anelliptical arc. Gaskets 124 and 126 are in a frictional state in themiddle of the travel arc and in compression at each end 67, 70 of thetravel arc.

[0050] Mailbox 140 includes a pair of securable doors 144, 29 a that arelocated on opposing sides of mailbox 140 and oriented generallyorthogonally to horizontal rails 114. Hinged door 144 provides anentrance into mailbox 140 for empty mail container 142 a, while door 29a (similar to door 29 of FIGS. 1 and 2) provides an exit for removingfull mail container 142.

[0051]FIG. 10 also shows the additional door 146 that may be hinged toopen downwardly and expose a transparent panel 150 similar to panel 90(FIG. 5). Hinged door 146 may also be used to support cover 105 duringthe extraction of mail container 142.

[0052] In a this manner, horizontal rails 114 and doors 144, 29 a areadapted to allow simultaneous insertion of one container 142 a into mailbox 140 and removal of another container 142. Empty mail container 142 amay also be coupled by a coupling 148 to a full container 142, andcontainer 142 may be pulled from mailbox 140 resulting in the pulling ofmail container 142 a into mailbox 140. At the same time, a cover 105 maybe positioned to engage and close container 142 as it is withdrawn frommailbox 140. Alternatively, empty container 142 a may be used forpushing full container 142.

[0053] The present invention is illustratively described above inreference to the disclosed embodiments. Various modifications andchanges may be made to the disclosed embodiments by persons skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the present invention asdefined in the appended claims.

What is claimed it is:
 1. A publicly accessible drop box adapted forisolating items deposited therein, comprising: a securable enclosure; adepository port forming part of said securable enclosure and adapted toallow items to be dropped through said depository port into saidsecurable enclosure; a closeable container having an opening and locatedwithin said securable enclosure for receiving items dropped into saidsecurable enclosure; and a closure device adapted for closing saidopening prior to removal of said container from said securableenclosure.
 2. The drop box of claim 1, wherein said depository portcomprises a housing forming a reception chamber adapted for receivingitems deposited into said mail box, wherein said housing includes anentrance and is adapted to allow opening of said entrance for receivingdeposited items in said reception chamber.
 3. The drop box of claim 1,further comprising a view port located in said securable enclosure andadapted to allow viewing of said opening of said closeable containerwithin said securable enclosure.
 4. The drop box of claim 3, whereinsaid view port is a transparent panel located in a side of said dropbox, and further comprising a securable door covering said transparentpanel.
 5. The drop box of claim 1, further comprising a manipulationdevice extending into said securable enclosure and adapted to enablemanipulation of said closure device or to enable movement of any itemsin proximity to said opening of said container, by a user locatedoutside said securable enclosure without exposing said user to any saiditems located within said securable enclosure.
 6. The drop box of claim5, wherein said manipulation device is a hazardous material mitt orglove extending into said drop box and having an open end for manualinsertion, which open end is sealed to a side of said securableenclosure to isolate a user of said mitt or glove from items within saiddrop box.
 7. The drop box of claim 6, wherein said open end of saidhazardous material mitt or glove is sealed to a transparent panel in aside of said drop box, which panel forms a view port into said securableenclosure.
 8. The drop box of claim 1, wherein said closeable containeris a standard size mail flat tray having a rectangular open top and atop cover adapted for engaging said rectangular open top and preventingair from escaping from said container.
 9. The drop box of claim 8,wherein said closure device includes a door hinged to said top cover andadapted to be left open for receiving articles, and further adapted forclosure prior to removal of said container from said securableenclosure.
 10. The drop box of claim 1, further comprising a ductforming a channel for directing items from said depository port to saidopening of said container, and a shutter mounted to said securableenclosure and adapted for closing said channel.
 11. The drop box ofclaim 10, wherein said duct and a side of said securable enclosure forma chamber adapted for storing said shutter in an open position, andfurther wherein said shutter is adapted for removable coupling to saidcontainer to provide closure of said shutter with the removal of saidcontainer from said securable enclosure.
 12. The drop box of claim 1,wherein said closure device is adapted to close said opening of saidcontainer during removal of said container from said securableenclosure.
 13. The drop box of claim 12, further comprising a coveradapted to engage and to close said container during removal of saidcontainer from said securable enclosure.
 14. The drop box of claim 13,further comprising a pair of opposed horizontal rails adapted forengaging said container within said securable enclosure and furtheradapted to engage said cover during removal of said container from saidsecurable enclosure.
 15. The drop box of claim 14, further comprisingsecond and third securable doors located in opposing sides of said dropbox and oriented generally orthogonally to said horizontal rails,wherein said horizontal rails and said second and third doors areadapted to allow simultaneous insertion of one closeable container intosaid drop box and removal of another closeable container.
 16. Adepository port structure for a publicly accessible mail box, comprisinga housing forming a reception chamber adapted for receiving itemsdeposited into said mail box, wherein said housing includes an entranceand is adapted to allow opening of said entrance for receiving depositeditems in said reception chamber.
 17. The depository port of claim 16,further comprising an opening formed as part of said mail box, whereinsaid housing is rotatably mounted within said mail box for causingexposure of said entrance through said mail box opening by rotationalalignment with said mail box opening and for causing closure of saidentrance by rotational misalignment with said mail box opening.
 18. Thedepository port structure of claim 17, wherein said housing includes aexit from said chamber, and further wherein said housing is adapted toopen said exit by rotation of said housing after said closure of saidentrance.
 19. The depository port of claim 18, further comprising aclosure surface affixed to said mail box in a position to block saidexit while said entrance is exposed through said mail box opening. 20.The depository port of claim 18, wherein said housing is rotatable in afirst direction to a first position of alignment between said entranceand said mail box opening and further rotatable in a second direction toa second position wherein said exit is open.
 21. The depository port ofclaim 20, wherein said housing is balanced to rest in said secondposition.
 22. The depository port structure of claim 18, wherein saidreception chamber entrance is directed generally upwardly from saidreception chamber and said exit is directed generally downwardly fromsaid reception chamber to enable gravitational movement of items throughsaid chamber.
 23. The depository port structure of claim 17, furthercomprising an arcuate shield in which said drop box opening is formedand a flange affixed to said housing and extending away from saidreception chamber entrance in both directions of rotation of saidhousing, wherein said arcuate shield and said flange are adapted toisolate a user of said drop box from items that have previously passedthrough said depository port.
 24. The depository port of claim 23,further comprising one or more compressible gaskets located between saidarcuate shield and said flange.